Loose-leaf binder



1' 617 719* 1927 v. B. WHITEHO'USE ET AL LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Nov. 18. 1925 41 7 q l6 /5 lNgEytslzgg/l v Q ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 15, 1927.

VIRA B. WHITE I-IOUSE AND LEONARD IELLETIERE,

or new roan, n. Y., ASSIGNORS,

BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T SAID VIRA B. WHITEI-IOUSE.

LQOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Application filed November 18, 1925. Serial No. 69,727.

The object of the present invention is to provide a loose leaf bind-er of the type in which the holding prongs for the loose leaves are carried by two members extending longitudinally of the binder back and which are hinged tog-ether, the specific object of the invention being to provide a binder of this type in which the back may be solid and rigid and the prong holding members may have a bodily movement relatively to the back. The prong holding members are disposed between the guide plates, one at each end of the back and these guide members are so constructed as to rigidly hold the prong holding members in their mutually latched position, but permit their bodily movement when unlatched.

The invention will be understood by ref erence to the accompanying drawing, in

whicha Figure 1 is a reduced plan view of a loose leaf binder constructed in accordance with the invention, the leaves of the binder being partly broken away;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the binder with the prong holding members moved to the releasing position illustrated in Figure 4;;

Figure 4 is an end view of the binder elements in the position illustrated in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation toward the latch end of the binder, and

Figure 6 is a transverse section on the line 66, Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the binder consists of a rigid back member 1 which may be of wood or metal. It can be constructed as a solid member or as a hollow member, as for example, when cast of aluminum or other metal, or when constructed of plates, welded or otherwise connected. To the back are secured the covers a, in accordance with r the usual binding practice.

The prong holding device comprises a unit 2 formed as a plate extending longitudinally of the back member and at one longitudinal margin bent at right angles to provide the flange 2". Secured to flange 2 are a plurality of curved prongs 3. The second unit of the prong holding device is indicated at 4 and it 'is angularly bent at its left hand margin to provide the flange 4 to which are secured a plurality of curved prongs .5 which are directed oppositely to the prongs 3. The plates 2 and 1 of the prong holding device are hinged together at thelr meeting edges Z), the specific hinge construction shown in the drawing comprising spaced lips bent down from the contacting margins of units 2 and 4 and bent around a hinge rod.

The prong holding unit 4 has secured thereto a latch plate 6 which projects over the face of unit 2 and is provided with an aperture 6 to receive a stud 7 held by a spring plate 8 secured to unit 2, the action of the plate being to normally hold stud i 7 within the aperture of the latch plate and prevent operation of the hinge by holding the two units in rigid connection.

The free end of spring plate 8 may be bent upward as indicated at 8 to receive a finger piece 9 by means of which the plate may be depressed to withdraw stud 7 from the aperture 6 of latch plate 6.

At each end of the back member 1 is a vertical guide-plate 10 having a horizontal base 11 secured to the back member by screws 12, or in any other suitable manner.

Each plate 10 is formed with a central vertical guide aperture 13 to receive a stud 14 projecting from the prong holding member at the point the two units thereof are hinged together. Each plate 10 is also provided with a guide slot 15 at each side of guide slot 13, the outer ends of these slots being arcuately and upwardly curved. Each slot 15 receives a stud 16, each stud being secured to one of the two prong holding units.

When the units are in normal holding position for the loose leaves, plates 2 and 4 lie horizontally in the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and studs 16 are held at the tops of the slots 15. In this position of the prong holding units they are rigidly held, upward movement being prevented by the walls of the slot 15 and hinged movement being prevented by the latch device.

When, however. finger piece 9 is moved downwardly to withdraw stud 6* from the latch plate 6, each unit may be swung upon hinge 6 until the parts assume the position shown in Figure 4, whereby the one set of prongs will be swung away from the second set the separation of the prongs permitting the removal or insertion of loose leaves.

Having described our invention what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:-

In a binder, the combination with a back member, of a prong holding device co1nprising two plates, each plate being provided at its longitudinal margins with angularly bent flanges, one flange being directed reversely to the second flange, means for hinging a flange of one plate to the corresponding flange of the second plate, a set of prongs carried by the flange of each plate opposite the hinged flange of that plate, end plates secured to and extending at right angles to the back member, said end plates being adapted to guide the prong holding device and secure the same within the opening, and means for latching the two prong holding plates.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification.

VIE-A B. WHITEHOUSE. LEONARD PELLETIERE. 

